DETROIT -- It was part Ford crossover sport utility vehicle, part shiny silver Airstream camper, part vision of a space odyssey.

Airstream, based in Jackson Center, teamed up with Ford to have some fun joining the two American icons in a concept vehicle unveiled Sunday on the first day of the North American International Auto Show.

"It celebrates the joy of the great American journey," said J Mays, group vice president and chief creative officer for Ford Motor Co.

Three door hatches open to reveal a red interior. Swivel captain's chairs allow front passenger to turn to face passengers in the cabin. And it has a 360-degree screen that had been turned into a mock lava lamp.

"We've included all these for fun, clearly, but make no mistake, Ford is serious in leading in crossover vehicles," Mays said. "Edge had a very fast start. You're going to see even more crossovers coming from Ford, Lincoln and Mercury."

The Ford Airstream concept was one of five vehicles Ford rolled out.

However, the big announcement from Ford on Sunday was its team up with Microsoft on Sync.

Sync is a device that will be included in 12 different Ford models this year. The system links cell phones and digital music players to the car's controls. It will debut with the 2008 model year Focus.

In addition to the 2008 Focus, Ford brought out a Lincoln concept car called the MKR, a two-door luxury car with a glass roof.

"We've reinterpreted the best Lincoln designs over time, preserving the restraint and elegance synonymous with the design," said Peter Horbury, Ford's director of design. "This romantic, sporting coupe should turn heads. Ultimately, this new design language will help lead us forward in the growing premium segment."

The other two Ford vehicles on display were the F series Super Duty and the Interceptor, a concept muscle car with a V-8 racing engine. Other major automakers rolled out fun with their vehicles. Chrysler president Tom LaSorda donned a smock and then brought out Food Network chef Bobby Flay out to cook chocolate sauce for cake.

Feeding on its Stow 'n' Go, Chrysler introduced Swivel 'n' Go for its 2008 Caravan and Town & Country minivans. The middle row doesn't just fold into the floor, now it turns around to face the rear of the van too. Add a small table and dinner is served. On stage at the Chrysler, that was lunch with Flay.

"To keep our lead in the minivan segment, we knew we had to innovate," LaSorda said.

General Motors did not turn out its latest models Sunday. Instead, there was a focus on its technological concept car called the Volt. As the name suggests, it is an electric car. A battery powers motors on the wheel. There's an engine inside it, but that is only to recharge the battery.

GM received good news earlier in the day when its Silverado truck was named 2007 North American Truck of the Year and its Saturn Aura became 2007 North American Car of the Year.

The Ford Edge and Mazda CX-7 were finalists for the truck of the year award. The Honda Fit and Toyota Camry rounded out the finalists for the car award.